The Osun state Governor, Gboyega Oyetola has reacted to the attack on Muslim worshippers in Oshogbo by Masquerades.
AMILOADED had earlier reported that a man, identified as Moshood Salawudeen, was shot dead, while nine other worshippers were injured when a masquerade and his followers, reportedly attacked them in front of a mosque in Osogbo, the Osun State capital.
The masquerade and his followers were said to be passing through the Oluode Aranyin’s compound, where the mosque is located at the time the worshippers were having prayers under a canopy near the mosque on Sunday when the incident happened.
The attackers were also said to have damaged the windows and doors of the mosque.
The Chief Imam of the mosque, Alhaji Quoseem Yunus, in a chat on Monday, said there was no previous disagreement with the masquerade, adding that the team had initially passed through the area without attacking the worshippers.
He said, “We were outside our mosque, having special prayers on Sunday when the masquerade and his men appeared. Four policemen were with them.
“They passed us by and moved down. They later returned to where we all sat and started pelting us with stones. They later shot at us and used machete on us. One person was killed. We have taken the corpse to UNIOSUN Teaching Hospital Morgue. Nine others are receiving treatment in other hospitals in Osogbo.”
However, In a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Ismail Omipidan, Oyetola condemned in strong terms the clash between Traditional Worshipers and a Muslim group, saying the State is not known for such dastardly
act.
While commiserating with the Islamic group and the family of the Islamic cleric whose life was cut short during the incident, Oyetola ordered the Police to get to the root of the incident with a view to bringing the perpetrators to book.
Oyetola noted that Osun and her people were known for peace and that the present Administration had been doing all it could to sustain the enviable record of the State.
The Governor warned that government would not tolerate any act of criminality or violence in any part of the state.
“The clash and the death are condemnable to say the least and are at variance with the peaceful status of Osun.
“We are known for peace. We have been doing our best to preserve that enviable status and we will do everything to guard it jealousy.
“After our visit to the scene of the incident on Monday, we have directed the Police to swing into action and bring the perpetrators to book.
“Once again, we commiserate with the family of the deceased and the Qamarudeen Islamic Society over the death of their member. But we want to reiterate that government will get to the root of the matter.
“The perpetrators must be brought to book to prevent future occurrence and serve as deterrent to others,” he said.
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